Japan, Heian period, 12th century
Excavated from Takeda-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto
Anrakuju-in
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The Buddha Amida (Skt., Amitabha) sits here flanked by his two attendant bodhisattvas, Kannon (Skt., Avalokitesvara) and Seishi (Skt., Mahasthamaprapta). Belief in Amida's Pure Land (J., Jodo) in the Western Paradise was popular during the late Heian period (794-1185), when it was believed that Buddhism had entered the degenerate age of mappo, the end of the Buddhist teaching. Many Amida triad images were produced during this time, though examples in stone, such as this, are rare.
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